(Newser)
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When Nicholas Kristof heard protesters in Bahrain were going to march to the symbolic Pearl Roundabout again, he feared the worst—more "brutal force" and more live bullets. Instead, after the royal family's decision to stand down, he's happy to report nothing but "delirious joy" from downtown Manama in his New York Times blog. He can't be sure the army won't return, "but it does feel as if this just might be a milestone on the road to Arab democracy."

What next? Maybe a switch to a constitutional monarchy in which King Hamad is only a figurehead, a move toward democracy that would put more pressure for reform on Saudi Arabia and other nations. For now, though, it's a party in Manama, with no sign of anti-American sentiment. Maybe President Obama's phone call last night did the trick, writes Kristof. "This may have been a case where American pressure helped avert a tragedy and aligned us with people power in a way that in the long run will be good for Bahrain and America alike."

And then the Saudis will invade the country to rescue the regime. The cause for democracy in Bahrain is hopeless.

MDK

Feb 19, 2011 5:03 PM CST

Bush: Invade country to install a democracy. Obama: Make phone call. Just sayin'...

schmidtkoff

Feb 19, 2011 4:37 PM CST

who would have thought that way back in december, a street vendor in in little tunisia who in protest over harassment by the govt. for selling produce from a cart, and having said cart confiscated once again, set himself on fire and thus by sacrificing his life managed to inflame 2 continents. quite an amazing turn of events. i can only hope that these kings, these royal families these draconian dictators will take notes and understand that, in the words of dylan "the times they are a'changin". i can't think of a song more appropriate.